Storms at sea



(No Model.)

0. H. STEBBINS.

METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING 0 IL DURING STORMS'AT SEA. No. 387,324.

Patented Aug. 7, 1888.

N. PErERS. Phomlimn n her. Washington, D (L llnrra ATENT tries.

CHARLES H. S'IEBBINS, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 387,324, dated August7, 1888.

Application filed January 6, 1888. Serial No. 259.974.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. STEBBINs, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and-State of New York,have invented new and useful improvements in Methods of Distributing OilDuring Storms at Sea, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to methods of using oil to lessen the dangerouseffects of heavy seas during gales of wind. It is well known that theviolence of the waves is greatly diminished and an area of comparativelysmooth water secured around the vessel by the use of oil,which spreadsupon the surface and breaks the force of the waves. It is also wellknown that in scudding or when running in a direction different fromthat of the wind and waves great difficulty has been experienced in soscattering or distributing the oil as to enableit to spread properlyover the surface around the ship, as the latter will have left the spotbefore the desired result is accomplished. So, also, when lying to,theoil-containing bags have been suspended by lanyards from the weather-bowand mizzeuchains with. sufficiently long lines to allow them to tend towindward for a proper distance, according to the shift of the ship, andin crossing bars on a flood-tide oil has been put overboard and allowedto float in advance while an oil-bag is towed astern. In crossing a barupon an ebb-tide no advantage has yet been obtained from the use of oil,as the tide carries it from the bar before the vessel can pass. Inriding at anchor the oil-bag has been secured to an endless line rovethrough a block at the sea-anchor to spread the oil Well ahead of theboat. Moreover, great waste of oil occurs in using bags and oakum, andthe time required for the oil to spread over a sufficient area isfrequently a factor of the last importance in savinga vessel from havingher decks swept byheavy seas. It is my purpose,therefore, to provide asimple method of distributing or scattering oil in any suitablequantities over any necessary area to any required distance and in anydirection from the vessel, the invention consisting in the novel mode ofprocedure hereinafter fully set forth,and definitely pointed out in theclaims.

(No model.)

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown one formof apparatus for the practice of my invention, Figure 1 is anelevational view, and Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing a slightmodification of the device. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the deck of anoceansteamer.

In the said drawings,the reference-numeral 1 designates the deck of thevessel, having a pump, 2, of the class ordinarily used for washing downthe decks. This pump may, however, be of any known form, provided it becapable of projecting a stream to a distance, and is provided with adischarge capable of being turned in various directions. The supplypipe3 leads from the pump-cylinder to the sea, or to any water-supply, andt-hepump, though frequently operated by steam, may be worked by hand.

Situated in convenient proximity to the pump-cylinder is anoil-reservoir, 4., having a pipe, 5, which may enter either thesupplypipe 3 or the bottom of the pump-cylinder. This pipe 5 is suppliedwith a shutoff, 6, whereby the oil may be either wholly shut olf or thevolume of the current passing through the pipe modified as required. Theoil-vessel may also be so placed as to utilize the gravity of the oil inpassing to the pump, as seen in Fig. 1, or it may be so located as todepend upon the suction of the pump. lVhen in use, the cock 6 is soarranged as to admit a given quantity of oil at each stroke of the pumppiston. This oil mingles with the water which is drawnin at the sametime, andis also ejected with the same at each stroke. The pump isprovided with a nozzle, 7, flexibly connected thereto, whereby theescaping stream may be thrown in any direction. The water ejectedinstantly finds its level,'and this result may be promoted by scatteringthe stream over the surface throughout the necessary area. The oilcarried with the water is thus spread over the surface with greatrapidity and at a dis tance from the ship, the direction being such asmay be required by the circumstances of each case.

It will be seen that the gist of my invention consists in the employmentof the water as a vehicle for the oil, the larger body of the formerbeing capable under a proper force of being thrown to a great distance,whereas the same result could not be accomplished with the smallquantity of the latter carried by each stroke of the piston.

A double nozzle may, if desired, be connected to the pump to throw thewater and oil out upon each bow, as shown in Fig. 3. This connection maybe so arranged that when made it is only necessary to let the pumpoperate while the crew seek shelter or take to the rigging, the doublenozzle having a rigid support,whereby the divided stream is thrown inthe necessary direction.

What I claim is- 1. The method set forth of distributing oil upon thesurface of the ocean in storms. said method consisting in introducingsaid oil into the cylinder of a pump and projecting it, to-

gether with the water driven by the pump, 20

suitable source and forcing it through a flexi- 25 bly-connected nozzle,oil being admitted in fixed quantities to the pump-cylinder at eachstroke, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signaturein presence of twowitnesses.

CHAS. H. STEBBINS. Witnesses:

JAMES L. NORRIs. J. A. RUTHERFORD.

